Fluid-fuel-feed regulator for steam-boilers.



J. D. MAULACHLAN. FLUIDFUEL FEED REGULATOR FOR STBAMBOILERS.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 12, 1907.l

Patented Dec. 1-, 1908.

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amrrnn ystrains y,IAzlnrrr orme JOHN I). MACLAGI'IIIAN, OFVDETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE W.

j `GOLDEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

l FLUID-FUEL-FEED REGULATOR FOR STEAM-BOILERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application meaauly. 12, 1,907. seria Nasssfie.

Detroit, in the county of Vayne and State ofk Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Fuel-Feed Regulators for Steam-Boilers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description `of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

My invention relates to automatically-controlled means for regulating the feed of fuel to burners. j

It is well known that some means for automatically regulating the feed of hydrocarbon fuel'to burners used in connection with boilers for generating steam `is desirable since the generation of steam in excess of the amount needed by the engine is dangerous and wasteful, whereas the generation 'of a lesser amount of steam than is needed does not enable the engineto produce the best results. Furthermore, the load on the engine is subject to variation requiring more or less steam pressure.

My invention relates to devices for effecting automatic control of the, fuel feed under varying conditions, employing `diaphragms actuated by the steam pressure generated,

such diaphragmsbeing. adapted to operate a valve mechanism for checking or opening the fuel supply.

My invention provides av diaphragm which is both expansible to close the valve and contractible to open it, and is so constructed that the alternate expansion and contraction have no injurious effect on the diaphragms, thereby insuring great durability. I y

My invention 'further consists in certain novel features and combinations as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims. j I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing my invention applied to a fuel feed regulating system; Fig. 2 is-an enlarged sectional view of the regulator; and Fig. 3 is a 'detail top planview thereof with the cap removed.

My invention is equallyiadapted to boilers i of the flash or the shell type, but for purposes of illustration, I have shown `it applied' to a flash boiler.

(A) indicates a flash boiler of any suitable design supplied with water from pipe (1). Y (2) is the steam pipe. Burner (3) is supplied with fuel through pipe (4) having a shut-off valve (5). rEhe pipe (4) takes its supply from the regulator.

` The construction of the regulator is as follows: Acasing (6) closed by a removable cap (7) contains the fuel-regulating valve and the steam-pressure-operated diaphragms that control it. The cap (7 has an inlet (8) to which fuel is supplied from any suitable source through a pipe (9). A hollow `plug (10) projects from the cap (7) and is provided with a valve-seat (11). The plug is threaded in the chamber (17) of the cap (7) and the stem (12) of the plug passes through a suitable stufling box (13). The passage (14) in the lower end of the plug communicates with a passage (15) through the stem and with chamber (17) and passage (16) leading to pipe (4). The chamber (17) in the cap is of such size that fuel willbe discharged from the cross-port into the chamber and thence into the burner supply pipe (4), whatever may be the position of the cross-port (15).

The operation of so much of my invention isy as follows: Fuel entering the diaphragm casing through pipe (9) and inlet (8) fills the casing. open, the fuel passes out through the plug, chamber (17'), and pipe (4) to the burner. The means by which the fuel-regulating valve is opened and closed comprises a series of diaphragme expanded and contracted by variations in the steam pressure. At `the bottom of casing (6) is a nipple (18) having its exterior end connected to a pipe (19) that communicates with boilerv pressure.

The arrangement and construction of the diaphragms is as follows: A plurality of diaphragms (21) (21) are arranged in series, successive diaphragms being connected by hollow nipples (22). The end diaphragm carries a valve (23) adapted to be moved toward and from the valve seat (11) to control the quantity of fuel delivered from the casing. By reason of the flexibility of its mounting on the face, of the upper diaphragm, the valve (23) readily adapts itself 'to its seat (11) making a perfectly tight joint, whatever may be the adjusted position of the'valve seat. The casing is pro- If the fuel-regulating valve isy vided with the longitudinal ribs 24, adapted to guide the diaphragms and confine tn'eir movement to a rectilinear path as well as to prevent lateral vibration. The circumference of the diaphragms is less than the inner circumference of the casing and the fuel from the inlet pipe 9 is adapted to till the casing and submerge the diaphragms.

The construction of the diaphragms constitutes one of the novel features of my invention. The advantages of my diaphragm construction are as follows: The diaphragm plates or leaves are made of metal, as bronze, for instance, and I prefer to insert between each two members of a diaphragm a gasketring (25) of steel or some other metal which will corrode. Thusl obtain a tight diaphragm which is not affected by continued alternate expansion and contraction. l form each leaf or plate with a dished or concaved eXterior face (2G) sloping toward the center. The interior face (27) is preferably plane. The plate is thickest at its periphery and gradually becomes thinner toward its center. Such a plate will freely expand and contract without bringing undue stress or strain on the gasket or on that part of the plate adjacent to the rivets (28) passing through and connecting the plates and interposed ring. A plate or leaf so constructed retains its yielding or resilient quality indefinitely, and will return to its normal position after being repeatedly bulged out by pressure from within the diaphragm. l arrange a number of diaphragms in the casing to obtain a greater movement of the valve The valve. movement is the sum of the movements of the respective diaphragms.

The operation of the diaphragms is as follows: F luid under pressure from pipe (2) enters the diaphragn'is through nipples (18) and (22). lVhen the pressure increases the eXpansible plates of the diaphragms bulge at the center and move the valve (23) toward its seat (11) restricting or entirely shutting off the supply of fuel to the burner. then the pressure within the diaphragms is reduced, the resilience of the plates causes them to re-assuine their normal positions thereby withdrawing the valve from its seat. The valve seat (ll) is adjustable toward and from the valve whereby to regulate the distance through which the valve may be operated. The nipple 18) is preferably provided with a shoulder taking against the interior of the casing and forming an abutment to withstand the expansive force of the diaphragme.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, what I claim as new isl. An automatic fuel feed regulator, comprising a casing provided with inlet and outlet ports, isolated from each other, and

a chamber in communication with the out let port, a stem having a cross port therein and projecting into the chamber, the stem being of less diameter than the chamber, a plug carried by the stem and threaded in the chamber, a valve seat formed at the inner end of the plug, the plug having a port extending from the valve seat to the cross port and a yieldably supported valve controlling the passage of the fuel from the casing to the outlet port.

2. The combination in an automatic feed regulator with a easing having inlet and outlet ports isolated from each other, of a series of pressure disks received in the casing, ribs formed interiorly of the casing for guiding the movement of the disks and preventing lateral vibration thereof, a valve actuated by the disks, a hollow valve seat in comnninieation with the outlet ports, the valve controlling access to the seat.

3. A diaphragm comprising a pair of resilient metallic plates having their adjacent faces parallel and their outer faces inclined to slope from their peripheries to the center. the plates being thinnest at the centers and. a packing ring of metal inserted and fastened between the outer edges of the plates. such ring capable of corroding to adhere closely to the plates.

4. A diaphragm con'iprising` a pair of inetallic leaves each of which has an inner plane face and an outer concave inclined face sloping toward the center, the plates being thickest at their outer edges and gradually becoming thinner toward the center, and a packing ring located between the plates.

5. An automatic feed regulator comprising a. casing having inlet and outlet ports. an adjustable hollow valve seat in the outlety port, a series of hollow pressure disks received in the casing` and of less diameter than the casing to permit the fuel to submerge and completely surround the disks, a source of pressure connected with the interior of the disks, and a valve actuated by the disks and controlling access to the valve seat.

6. A diaphragm comprising` a pair of resilient metallic plates having their adjacent' faces parallel and their outer faces inclined to slope from their peripheries to the center, the plates being thinnest at the centers.

7. A diaphragm comprising` a pair of resilient metallic plates secured together at their peripheries, said plates being thickest at their outer edges and thinner toward their centers.

In testimony whereof. l aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. DDCLACHLAN. lVitnesses RALPH S. VARFIELD, A. A. EASTERLY. 

